NTC runs after telcos sending spam messages

MANILA, Philippines - The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will strictly prohibit push messages sent by content providers without the consent of subscribers with the issuance of a new memorandum circular to be issued Wednesday, commissioner Ruel Canobas told Palace reporters. In a briefing, Canobas said the memorandum circular would address text spam and broacast messaging after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the regulator and Commission on Information and Communications Technology through Administrative Order No. 266 to act on mobile phone complaints from dropped calls to disappearing loads. "Push messages should be prohibited. These became the subject of many complaints from consumers because sometimes they were receiving messages without the consent of subscribers and they were charged. Before the issuance of the new memorandum circular, content provider and telcos can send promo offerings or new services to subscribers just once. But this was abused without being checked by content providers so we will issue new guidelines that will totally prohibit sending of push messages," he said. While NTC can impose a penalty on erring telcos under the memorandum circular, Canobas said the maximum fine is just P200 per violation per day. That is why, the commission supports the bill proposed by Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago increasing the fine as low as P10,000 to as high as P10 million. Santiago used to be the NTC commissioner. "Up to now we are still guided by the provision of the Commonwealth Act 146 which imposes the maximum penalty of fine that can be imposed by the commission of P200 per day per violation. That’s still very, very minimal (coming from) a very, very old law. We are coordinating with the House of Representatives for a higher penalty on erring public telecommunications entity," he said. -GMANews.TV